Another disappointing result for UConn

When the 2013 season began the leaders of the UConn football team believed they were well on their way to erasing the memories from a pair of 5-7 seasons. The way things are going, it might be time to build a statue for interim UConn coach T.J. Weist if the Huskies get to 5-7 this season.

The Huskies gave up eight sacks, had three costly interceptions and allowed 525 yards adding up to a 41-16 loss to Cincinnati.

UConn has now been outscored 82-28 in two road games this season with the next game at a Central Florida team coming off a stirring come from behind win over previously undefeated Louisville.

"I told our guys that is not us," Weist said. "We have too much character on our team to be representative of an 0-6 team but the season doesn’t stop. Central Florida, a lot of people didn’t think they could beat Louisville and they did and there is no reason why we can’t beat UCF, no reason. We are going to keep working and just stay focused, have a good week of practice. There is no magic (formula). We have good players on the team, we have played good players and we are just going to to keep getting better."

The game couldn't have started in more disastrous fashion for the Huskies as Brandon Kay hooked up with Mekale McKay for 56 yards on the first play of the game. By game's end six different Bearcats had at least one catch for 24 yards.

UConn gave up 388 passing yards and the problem was on both ends. There were missed assignments in the secondary and the three Cincinnati quarterbacks were not only not sacks, they were barely touched.

"It is tough but we can’t dwell on it, the season is over and we still can accomplish a lot," UConn junior defensive end Angelo Pruitt said.

Weist said the inability to finish off drives is something the team needs to get fixed.

"We are very close," Weist said. "We have good athletes and you can see it. We can move the ball down the field, throw it down the field and it is enjoyable to sit there and see the competitiveness of our players, see our quarterbacks throw the ball, see our running backs run the ball When we are good, we are good but unfortunately when we are bad, we are bad.

"We didn’t finish on some blocks, we got some penetration which really knocked us back. I tried to mix it up, try to move inside and outside with some inside zone and I think they did a good job of mixing it up. We got a couple of 3-and-outs that really stopped us. We couldn’t really get into a rhythm like we did last week."

UConn played without three starters as linebacker Graham Stewart (high-ankle sprain), cornerback Taylor Mack (shoulder) and offensive guard Gus Cruz (cardiovascular symptoms) who all stayed back in Connecticut. Starting linebacker Ryan Donohue did make the trip and warmed up but did not play.

Cruz's absence was the only real surprise.

"Medical issues we are trying to work through," Weist said about Cruz. "We got some information on him late in the week that we thought he was going to be able to make the trip but he didn’t but I don’t want to talk about those issues right now. There are some things he has a work out with our medical staff. It is not really life threatening or anything like that but just things we have to figure out when we get back."

Receiver Shakim Phillips played the most snaps since he injured his hamstring on a 75-yard touchdown catch against Maryland. Phillips had three catches for 38 yards.

"He wasn’t really full speed because he is still feeling out that hamstring but I think he made it through the game doing what he did will make a big difference for us for the rest of the season," Weist said.